In these winter months, we all gravitate toward things that give us warmth, comfort, and stability: home, family, big blankets, glasses of bourbon, and sure – why not – some good ole, goddamn, soul-caressing country and blues. Levee Drivers‘s August John Lutz II is here to rub warmth back into the fingers and toes of your inner being with a solo performance at Bourbon & Branch this Friday for his "Big Damn Holiday Brawl." His comfortingly familiar contemporary take on old-fashioned folk and blues stems from the tradition of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and other country-western cult figures. Lutz’s full-bodied voice explores a large vocal range reaching low to the gravelly Cash frequencies, as well as soaring with a forced strain into a Robin Pecknold-slanted crescendo. His songs explore recognizable feelings of heartbreak, reminiscence, yearning, and spiritual catharsis that pick you up like a hitchhiker on a long, lonely road and fill you with dusty reflections and secondhand longing. Joining Lutz for this night of rich ambience will be Dirty Dollhouse and Brian Dale Allen Strouse (of The Lawsuits). Bourbon & Branch, 705 N. 2nd St., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Lisa Schaffer) – Bryce Woodcock

The new single from Nasser Ali Goins, a.k.a. Coin$, called “Throwback,” features the legendary Black Thought of The Roots. With a sinister old-school beat, Coin$ storms the lyrical, and gets hard. Black Thought adds his customary meshing of suave authoritatively tight rhymes. Produced by Mizzy Beatz, the song gears into an intense, heavy, serious vibe, while still capturing a tone that locks you in. And a Jay-Z sample on the chorus makes a solid suggestion to “check out the technique.”

Madalean Gauze celebrates the arrival of her new record Sing with a release show this evening at Boot & Saddle. Gauze demonstrates a distinct sense of vocal authority, meshing potency of command – even keeled while sincere, allowing the strength of the lyrical narrative to stand out. Taking that smooth base, and letting it flourish as tumultuous sonic terrain surrounds it, providing a dramatic sense of urgency, and still the unwavering vocals storm ahead. Madalean Gauze is in constant control, no matter what. Whether the conditions are prime for peaceful harmony fueled by casual rolling or if harsher menacing conditions prevails, one thing’s certain – she’ll sing. Beforehand, you can get caught in the melancholy undercurrent of Mariah Johnson’s surf-shoegazing unifying solo project Woven In,  as her unshielded earnest vocals ride a steady subtle wave. Rosali kicks things off. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Take a listen to Honey Radar‘s latest EP Instant Replay Finger. For those familiar with Jason Henn’s lo-fi, garage-psych project, you’ll find a refinement in production and song structures on his new album, while still managing to maintain a looseness that can certainly be built upon in a live setting. The record was co-released by Third Uncle Records and What’s Your Rupture?, and is available on limited edition hand-cut 7" vinyl. Honey Radar also recently announced that they’ll have a new EP, Giraffe, out on January 7 via Chunklet Industries.

Over the summer, Son Little (a.k.a. Aaron Livingston) wrote a new song, “Shadows,” with La-based singer-songwriter Doe Paoro. While recently in Germany, they recorded a live performance for Cardinal Sessions. The collaboration, backed with elegant acoustic guitar, melds the duo’s vocals, creating a soulful, aching beauty. “Every struggle is its own kind of love.” Son Little will perform next in Philly on Friday, March 6 at The Fillmore on a billing that also includes Leon Bridges.

Ron Gallo and his former band Toy Soldiers will always be a part of The Deli Philly’s history. It feels not so long ago that they headlined our very first presented showcase in the city. We held it at what seemed to be a plastic bag factory across the street from Kung Fu Necktie. A rather large stage was built for a Valentine’s art and music showcase, which turned into a rager with about five hundred Temple students and Fishtown natives breaking all types of laws. Unfortunately, the space was short-lived – only hosting about one or two more shows before it was shutdown, but the memories certainly live on. Tonight, after nearly a decade of calling Philly "home," Gallo will bid farewell to friends and fans as he begins his next journey in Nashville, Tennessee, a fitting new home for the blues/folk "song and dance man." He’ll be joined this evening at Boot & Saddle by old collaborative pals Coin Purse and Hidden Lights. Bon voyage, Ron! Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Purples are at it again; this time with a new song, “Believe.” It’s a tight dance groove that builds as synth gives way to a spiraling guitar riff into a backend mover. Despite the song’s upbeat tone, which is further sweetened by falsetto vocals, lyrically, the song tears with duality – “I believe in myself/I deceive with belief.” Throw in a short bursting guitar solo, and you have a soothing yet introspective song. Purples is part of a lineup on Wednesday, January 20 at Everybody Hits with Static Mountain, Tangiers, and Slang.

We’re very excited for the hypnotic riffs to come our way this Saturday at Everybody Hits. Philly’s own Spacin’ will be celebrating the long-awaited release of their new album Total Freedom (Richie Records). You can enjoy another taste of it now with "Over Uneasy," the freewheelin’ opening track on their forthcoming release, which is available for streaming over at Aquarium Drunkard.

These unseasonably warm temperatures have spawned a fresh optimism. Tonight, the multi-faceted Kyle Press-led ensemble, otherwise known as Impressionist, aims to build on that positive spin. Loose, dashing forward in a freeing manner, their tunes are enhanced through the fine attention to detail afforded by a large toolbox of instrumentation. Impressionist can paint with musical dimension; breezy and smooth can quickly transition to turbulent an ominous as keys, horns sax stir the sonic air. Through it all, an engaging, shape-shifting, organic puzzle keeps you consistently on alert. A pair of Atlanta-based bands, including Red Sea, whose laid-back grooving pop is spiked with hyperactive flurries, and the fascinating, classically-framed, modern-spun, vast landscapes of Faun and a Pan Flute, are sandwiched between the ongoing, experimental, noise-infused exploits of avant-pop trio Banned Books, who completes a billing that is comforting while pushing the traditional limits. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

A masked Loose Tooth gang enjoys a hang at the shore (minus one) in the band’s new video for the single "Skinny Chewy." The track is off their debut LP Easy Easy East, which is available via Fleeting Youth Records. The video was directed by local native Pete Murray. BTW: How about a giveaway for the heads?

Krust Toons: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

Hello Shark‘s Linc Halloran has a lot of polarizing opinions about the world around him. His uninhibited thoughts flow out into melodic verses and choruses with a raw, earnest vocal deliver that draws to mind works of indie-rock heroes Pavement. Whether solo or backed by a group of his musician pals, a performance by Halloran is always an engaging experience, and he’ll be kicking things off this evening at West Philly’s All Nite Diner. Hello Shark will also be joined by fellow New England transplants Friendship, who have been touring in support of their latest LP You’re Going to Have To Trust Me. They’ll be hosting Maryland mellow-pop trio Viking Moses and New Hampshire’s Tiger Saw. All Night Diner, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman